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    Home » Recipes » Desserts & Treats

    Pineapple Upside Down Cake

    by Mindy Boyd · Published: Dec 5, 2021 · Updated: Dec 23, 2024

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    ⏲️ 56 minutes mins
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    Pineapple Upside Down Cake is a fun and easy dessert!

    My Pineapple Upside Down Cake recipe features pineapple and maraschino cherries and transforms boxed cake mix into an easy and special treat!

     

    Pineapple Upside Down Cake recipe features pineapple and maraschino cherries and transforms boxed cake into an easy and special treat!

     

    Cake is one of my favorite foods!

    I just love the texture and flavor. 

    Believe it or not, I like cake way more than frosting.

    I am always looking for ways to top cakes that isn’t frosting.

    I do like frosting, but some of it is just too sweet for me.

     

    Pineapple Upside Down Cake recipe features pineapple and maraschino cherries and transforms boxed cake into an easy and special treat!

     

    So that is what makes Pineapple Upside Down Cake so nice – no frosting!

    Better than that, it is topped with butter, sugar and fruit.

    Some of the same ingredients as frosting, but way different.

     

    Pineapple Upside Down Cake recipe features pineapple and maraschino cherries and transforms boxed cake into an easy and special treat!

     

    Perhaps one of the drawbacks to frosting is that you have to let the cake cool completely.

    I mean, who has that kind of discipline?!

    A cake that you make the topping as you are making the cake is really the best, in my opinion. 

    And there is fruit.

    So doesn’t that make it healthier?!

     

    Pineapple Upside Down Cake recipe features pineapple and maraschino cherries and transforms boxed cake into an easy and special treat!

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    Pineapple Upside Down Cake recipe features pineapple and maraschino cherries and transforms boxed cake into an easy and special treat!

    This Pineapple Upside Down Cake is easy to make.

    Do not be intimidated by the thought of flipping it over.

    It couldn’t be easier!

    Make sure you line up the dish you are putting it on with the cake pan and grab it in a way that is easy to flip over, and flip it.

    As long as you loosen the sides of the cake from the pan with a knife then it should be good to go. 

    The butter, brown sugar and fruit will not allow what is going to be the top of the cake to stick.

    There really is nothing to it. Just do it!

     

    Pineapple Upside Down Cake recipe features pineapple and maraschino cherries and transforms boxed cake into an easy and special treat!

     

    I don’t have a large rectangular platter so I use a sheet pan.

    It is easy to cover with a piece of aluminum foil too.

    One of these days I am going to buy a large platter for cakes such as this.

    But this works for now.

     

    Pineapple Upside Down Cake recipe features pineapple and maraschino cherries and transforms boxed cake into an easy and special treat!

     

    Some other recipes you might like that transform boxed cake mix into something special:

    Banana Chocolate Chip Cupcakes

    Black Forest Poke Cake

    Healthier Chocolate Cake

    Twix Poke Cake

    The Easiest Pumpkin Pie Cake Ever

     

    Pineapple Upside Down Cake recipe features pineapple and maraschino cherries and transforms boxed cake into an easy and special treat!

    Follow us on social media!!

    Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram |Twitter

     

    Pineapple Upside Down Cake recipe features pineapple and maraschino cherries and transforms boxed cake into an easy and special treat!

    Pineapple Upside Down Cake

    Mindy Boyd
    Pineapple Upside Down Cake recipe features pineapple and maraschino cherries and transforms boxed cake mix into an easy and special treat!
    5 from 12 votes
    Print - Email Required Pin Recipe Share by Text Save Recipe Saved Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 46 minutes mins
    Total Time 56 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12 pieces

    Ingredients
      

    • 1/4 cup butter
    • 1 cup brown sugar
    • 1 can pineapple rings, juice reserved 20 ounces
    • 1 jar maraschino cherries at least 6 ounces
    • 1 box yellow cake mix 15.25 ounces
    • 3 eggs
    • 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
    • water
    Get Recipe Ingredients

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    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350°.
    • Melt butter in a 13" X 9" X 2" in the oven, sprinkle brown sugar evenly over butter. Arrange pineapples over brown sugar, place cherries in and around pineapple rings.
      1/4 cup butter, 1 cup brown sugar, 1 can pineapple rings, juice reserved, 1 jar maraschino cherries
    • Measure reserved pineapple juice and add enough water to make one cup. Whisk cake mix, eggs, applesauce and pineapple juice-water mixture in a large bowl until well combined. Pour into pan over pineapple rings and cherries.
      1 box yellow cake mix, 3 eggs, 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce, water
    • Bake until cake is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 40 - 46 minutes.
    • Run a knife around side of pan to loosen the edges. Turn cake out onto a serving platter, or sheet pan. Let pan sit over cake for 5 minutes. Cool about 30 minutes before serving.

    Notes

    My local store only had a 16 ounce jar of maraschino cherries but I didn't use the entire jar.
    Did you make this recipe? We would love it if you would leave us a comment and ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review below!
     
    Nutritional information is approximate.
     
    Bookmark this page to find it quickly when you are ready to make this recipe!

    Nutrition Facts

    Calories: 331kcal | Carbohydrates: 67g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 51mg | Sodium: 366mg | Potassium: 127mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 49g | Vitamin A: 209IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 128mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was with a comment below.

    Recipe minimally adapted from Betty Crocker.

     

    Pineapple Upside Down Cake recipe features pineapple and maraschino cherries and transforms boxed cake into an easy and special treat!

     

    Pineapple Upside Down Cake recipe features pineapple and maraschino cherries and transforms boxed cake into an easy and special treat!

    Share by text, email, or on social!
    166Pinterest690FacebookEmailRedditXSMSFlipboardBluesky
    856
    SHARES

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Craig Bolesky says

      January 01, 2024 at 8:54 pm

      5 stars
      This is a dangerous recipe. Had extra pineapple and canned tart cherries I wanted to use, so I used those cherries instead of maraschino cherries and the result was outstanding. I’m a meat and potatoes type cook, so this was a stretch for me, but threw it together exactly as directed except for drained tart cherries and it was incredible. Now I can bring a dessert to parties. Served with ice cream…northing better.

      Reply
      • Mindy Boyd says

        January 01, 2024 at 9:50 pm

        Now I am going to have to try it with tart cherries too, thanks for the comment!

        Reply
    2. Jeri R. Edmondson says

      December 28, 2023 at 9:59 pm

      5 stars
      Just made this and it was easy and delicious. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Mindy Boyd says

        December 28, 2023 at 10:25 pm

        You are welcome!

        Reply
    3. angiesrecipes says

      December 05, 2021 at 9:35 pm

      One of my all time favourite cakes!

      Reply
    5 from 12 votes (10 ratings without comment)

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